volume pedals
A volume pedal affects the signal fed from your guitar into your amp. It can be pushed downwards or rocked backwards to operate it. It can be placed it at the start of the chain so it acts similarly to the volume control on the guitar, or placed later in the chain to act as a master volume control.
You should get a volume pedal if you want to achieve the same effect as the volume control on your guitar, or if you need a way to adjust the master volume without adjusting your amplifier. They are very versatile and work for every style of music which is why many players have one on their boards.
Types Of Volume Pedals
There are two main types of volume pedal: active and passive.
Passive volume pedals do not need a power supply and do not use a buffer.
Active volume pedals require a power supply and have a buffer which prevents a loss of high-end frequencies.
Within the passive volume pedal category, you will find “low-impedance” and “high-impedance” pedals. High impedance volume pedals are suitable for guitars with passive pickups, whereas low impedance pedals should be selected if you are using active pickups.
The issue with passive volume pedals is that they do not use a buffer. Buffers prevent the loss of high-end frequencies throughout the signal chain causing the tone to sound dull. This is a particular problem with passive volume pedals if you place them immediately after the guitar in the chain.
| Passive Volume Pedal | Active Volume Pedal |
| Does not contain a buffer | Contains a buffer to prevent loss of high-end |
| Power supply is not needed | Power supply is needed |
| Less sensitive | More sensitive |
| Wider sweep | Narrower sweep |
| Cheaper | More expensive |
| Need to choose impedance to suit pickups | Work with any pickups |
Uses of Volume Pedals
Similarity to Your Guitar’s Volume Control
If you place the volume pedal immediately after your guitar in the pedal chain and before any other pedals then it will act in the same way as your guitar’s volume knob.
This means that the volume pedal will affect both how loud the pedal is, and the level of gain.
This is useful if the volume control on your guitar is in a difficult position to reach, for example on a Les Paul and some modern guitars. Stratocasters and Telecasters tend to have more accessible volume controls but it can be useful to also have a volume pedal for when your hands aren’t free!
This method works really well with active volume pedals but the lack of buffer in a passive volume pedal can result in a loss of high-end frequencies.
To Control the Master Volume
If you place your volume pedal at the very end of the signal chain, it will act as a master volume control so the gain will not be affected when you use the pedal. You can place it either before or after your reverb and delay pedals.
If you place the volume pedal before reverb and delay then you will retain the trails from these ambient effects (most popular placement)
If you place the volume pedal after reverb and delay then the ambient effects will be stopped completely when you activate the volume pedal (allows you to cut the volume completely, acting similarly to a noise gate).
Volume Swells
Volume swells can also be created with a volume pedal. This works best when you place the pedal after your drive pedals, or in your effects loop if you are using your amp for the gain. Volume swells remove the attack and create an interesting effect.
How to Perform a Swell Using a Volume Pedal:
Turn volume pedal all the way down (tilting forwards)
Play a note/ chord
Depress the volume pedal
Cranking a Tube Amp at Lower Volume
Finally, some players like to use volume pedals through a tube amp when playing at home when practicing so that they can get a “cranked” effect but without the volume being way too loud. This can be useful but a better option is to use a power attenuator instead.
Recommended Volume Pedals
Ernie Ball VP JR 250K Volume
The Ernie Ball vp Jr 250k provides all the same great features as our original volume pedal while reducing your footprint by 22%. The vp 250k Jr is perfectly voiced for passive signals and features a compact, rugged design consisting of aircraft grade aluminum housing that is virtually indestructible.
BOSS Low Impedance Volume
As with the other models in the FV series, two different pedal versions allow you to choose the best type for your specific application:
FV-50H—The high-impedance FV-50H is designed to be connected before guitar effect units in the signal chain.
FV-50L—The low-impedance FV-50L is a stereo volume pedal that can be used for a wide variety of purposes including keyboards.
Hotone Wah Active Volume
HOTONE Soul Press II is One Wah Volume Passive Expression Guitar Effects Pedal in the Hotone Press series pedal line. It have four function modes : volume, wah, volume/wah, expression Guitar effects Pedal.The guitar pedal size maintains portability for easying uses. Soul Press II is a truly wah Volume Passive Expression pedal.
BOSS FV-30H FV-30H
This pedal is 100-percent professional grade, aluminum die-cast unit, and features smooth pivot action that supports subtle changes in volume control. Thanks to its small size, the FV-30H offers a huge advantage for traveling musicians and gigging players who need to maximize pedalboard space.
MORLEY 20/20 Volume Plus
Morley’s Optical circuitry uses light to measure the travel so it will never wear down. It’s Audio Taper is smooth and forgiving and perfect for Violin or Lap Steel Guitar type swells. It’s also one of the few Volume pedals to offer a Minimum Volume Control that can perform a variety of functions such setting your Lead and Rhythm Volumes, Tremolo pedal emulation and sound design.
Fender Tread-Light Volume
Fender’s Tread-Light Volume/Expression Pedal helps you control your stage volume for enhanced dynamic performance and also acts as an expression pedal for use with other effects pedals and keyboards. Its special under-treadle LED provides easy visibility onstage under any light, and its durable chassis and treadle are crafted from lightweight anodized aluminum, with a rubberized pad ideal for the rigors of live performance.
Volume pedals work by adjusting the signal level to allow you to achieve a variety of effects including volume swelling. It works by using a foot pedal that can be depressed to adjust the volume. Pressing your toe down will increase the volume whilst rocking back on the heel will decrease it.
Volume pedals can go anywhere in the chain but the most common placements are either at the very start, or after gain pedals but before reverb and delay. Placing a volume pedal at the start of the chain will also affect the gain, but placing it after drive pedals causes it to act as a level control.
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